Sports

Inside Real Madrid: Why is there ‘disappointment’ over Kylian Mbappe?

Published

3 months ago

May 11, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Inside Real Madrid, our weekly series to follow throughout La Liga’s 2025-26 season.

We will bring you key information and analysis on the biggest talking points, cutting through the noisy world of all things Madridista with reporting you can trust.

The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at Madrid, all of whom spoke anonymously to protect relationships.

What’s going on with Kylian Mbappe?

Mbappe was absent from the Madrid squad that lost 2-0 at Barcelona on Sunday night, a result that wrapped up a second consecutive Liga title for their Clasico rivals.

The 27-year-old striker instead watched the game back at home in the Spanish capital, and an Instagram Story he posted during the game caused some controversy.

It was a simple photo of his TV screen with a caption supporting his team-mates. The fact that he posted it with Madrid already 2-0 down is what attracted some criticism. But the unfortunate reality is that nothing around Mbappe is that simple these days, such is the volume of noise that has built around him.

From the dressing room to the board, there is growing disappointment with Mbappe at various levels within Madrid. To understand why, we first need to rewind a little.

Kylian Mbappe, pictured in Madrid training on Saturday (Oscar del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images)

Mbappe last played for Madrid in the 1-1 draw in La Liga at Real Betis on April 24, when he asked to be substituted due to a hamstring problem.

He was given some days off during his recovery, but a trip to Italy with his partner did not go down well internally, especially as he did not return to the Spanish capital until shortly before kick-off in Madrid’s match at Espanyol on Sunday, May 3.

Over the next week of build-up to the decisive meeting with their Clasico rivals, there was confusion over whether he would be able to participate.

Towards the end of the week, there was hope coming out of the club that Mbappe would be fit to play against Barcelona. The reality was different.

In truth, Mbappe had been deemed unfit to play by the club’s medical staff over the whole week. On Saturday, he did train with the group in the final session before the game. On Sunday morning, however, Mbappe was not included in the squad.

Arbeloa on the sidelines at Barcelona on Sunday night

Alvaro Arbeloa said after Sunday’s game that he would have liked Mbappe to play (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa had planned the week with other players, and during Saturday’s session, there was a point when Mbappe was placed with the theoretical substitutes for the match at the Camp Nou. Sources said Mbappe left the session shortly after that, saying he had felt discomfort.

This is what led to frustration among the training ground staff, who did not feel in control. The Athletic contacted Mbappe’s representatives for comment on this article, but they declined.

On Sunday night, after Madrid lost 2-0, Mbappe’s Instagram post was negatively received by Madrid staff and team-mates.

On Monday, Mbappe added another photo to his Instagram story following that shot of the TV screen — a selfie at the gym at Madrid’s training ground, on what was a day off for the rest of the first team.

Kylian Mbappe in the gym at Rela Madrid's training ground, as shared on Instagarm

Mbappe’s selfie from the Madrid training ground on Monday (@k.mbappe)

Last week, The Athletic also reported on a training-ground row between Mbappe and a member of Madrid’s coaching team in the build-up to that game at Betis on April 24, an incident sources said had contributed to a growing bad atmosphere at the club.

In response to questions about that incident, and wider criticism of the player, Mbappe’s camp replied with the following statement: “A portion of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, and does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”

The extent of that bad atmosphere was laid bare after the dressing-room fight between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde at the training ground on Thursday.

Should Madrid fans expect to see him play again this season?

Madrid still have three games to play in La Liga — at home against Real Oviedo on Thursday, away at Sevilla the following Sunday, and a final home match with Athletic Club the weekend after (the date for that game has not yet been confirmed).

In another sign of the mood around Mbappe within the club, one Madrid source said they believed he would like to avoid playing at the Bernabeu again this term, having already been jeered by home fans on more than one occasion.

Really, the answer is nobody in Madrid seems to know for certain when Mbappe will be back. There has been no direct communication on the matter from Mbappe himself or from the club’s medical staff via a statement on his condition — which Madrid tend to do.

That was reflected in Arbeloa’s post-match press conference at the Camp Nou on Sunday night.

“There are two weeks left and depending on how his discomfort evolves, we will see whether he can play,” the 43-year-old said.

“I would have liked him to be at 100 per cent and to be able to start.”

What’s the latest on Jose Mourinho?

After revealing that Jose Mourinho is president Florentino Perez’s favoured option to replace Arbeloa as manager, The Athletic reported last week that there have been talks between the Spanish club and the Portuguese coach’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

In these conversations, Mourinho, 63, outlined through Mendes his main ideas for the project.

Both parties will continue talks when the schedule allows it. Benfica are playing at home against Braga on Monday evening as they try to shore up second place in the Primeira Liga table and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Benfica are aware of the situation and are considering options to replace Mourinho in case he leaves.

Mourinho is under contract until June 2027, but there is a clause allowing him to depart within 10 days of the end of their season (on May 16) if a release clause of around €3million (£2.6m; $3.5m) is met.

Sports

St Mirren 1 – 0 St Johnstone

Published

2 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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Killian Phillips was on target again to keep St Mirren on top of the Premiership for a second Saturday night.

Phillips followed up his opening-day double at Falkirk with the only goal from the spot as the Paisley side beat visitors St Johnstone.

Goalkeeper Jacob Chapman was the other Buddies hero, saving a spot-kick from Jamie Gullan in the 48th minute.

His opposite number, Toby Steward, had a far less positive influence on proceedings when he conceded the 73rd-minute penalty that settled matters.

The Perth side’s goalkeeper was unaware of the impending presence of Samuel Ramos as he prepared to pick up Declan John’s forward pass and brought down the midfielder when he ran into his path.

Phillips sent Steward the wrong way with the shortest of run-ups to make it two wins from two for Craig McLeish’s side.

Both sides had started their Premiership campaigns with victories and there was little to separate them in the first half.

The only real chance fell for Ramos, who headed Chris Mochrie’s cross straight at Steward. The goalkeeper pushed the ball up in the air and the visitors survived the resultant goalmouth scramble.

Simo Valakari’s side squandered their first serious opportunity, which came after a VAR intervention when referee Ross Hardie ruled Alex Gogic had handled while competing for a throw-in into the box. Chapman dived to his left to stop Gullan’s penalty.

The home side soon lost Marcus Fraser to injury with Liam Donnelly coming on at centre-back.

Gullan looked to make amends when he set up Matty Foulds but the left-back shot just wide on the run.

A double substitution almost paid instant dividends for McLeish as Luke Thomas set up Jake Young to bear down on goal from the left flank. The striker appeared to be held by Cheick Diabate as he shot wide of the far post.

St Mirren got their breakthrough after more attacking play down the left flank and they soon survived a scare when Diabate headed off the post following a corner.

The hosts had a series of shots blocked as they tried to put the game out of sight in the closing stages but they were soon caught on the break and Ruari Paton set up Gullan. The former Hibernian striker lacked conviction though and was foiled by a combination of Steward and Ryan Carr.

St Johnstone kept the pressure on during stoppage time but Young forced a save on the break at the other end and the home side saw out the remaining moments in the opposition half.

What the result means and next fixtures…

Sports

Shergar Cup: Ryan Moore helps Great Britain and Ireland to Ascot crown | Racing News

Published

8 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

qasimgillani

Ryan Moore bagged a Shergar Cup double on his return to the competition following a 20-year absence to help his Great Britain and Ireland team win the team event while he was also crowned leading rider over the six races.

Winner of the Silver Saddle on his last appearance at the team-based meeting in 2006, Moore has usually been required to ride on a Group One card in Ireland.

But with that meeting put back 24 hours he was free to attend and delighted the Ascot crowd.

Team Great Britain and Ireland topped the standings on 81 points from Team Hong Kong in second on 62, with Moore’s individual haul of 47 enough to take the Silver Saddle.

He first struck on Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain (13-2) who stuck to his task gamely to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge by a length and a quarter from Yutake Take on Sportingsilvermine for the Rest of the World.

Moore said: “Dylan did say he could be a little bit lazy, but he has an uncomplicated attitude and to just help him through it and it was straightforward, really.

“It’s great to get Dylan a winner here today and the owners will be delighted as they were all looking forward to it, so it’s a good job the horse has performed today.”

In the penultimate Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic, he gave Marco Botti’s Archers Bay (5-2) a textbook ride coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Christophe Lemaire on King Of Berkshire for Team Europe.

Having run in the Italian Derby earlier in the season, he looked the class act and so it proved.

In the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, Moore finished third on Ozat behind the Frida Valle Skar-ridden Crown Board (10-1), but her Team Europe were not in contention for top honours by then.

Saffie Osborne thrives in the team environment and got her name on the scoresheet when Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger justified 2-1 favouritism in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.

Osborne was leading rider in the Racing League on three occasions and is captaining Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle in Team Great Britain and Ireland.

She said: “I heard a few people knocking this horse today but I thought the track would really suit and it has. I’m just glad I pulled my finger out.

“Looking at the standard of jockeys here today, it’s amazing – look at our team with Ryan Moore and Ireland’s champion jockey.

“The win for me today is that I made Ryan laugh a couple of times, so I’m quite happy with that!”

Team Hong Kong had earlier set the pace winning the first two races.

Jerry Chau gave them the perfect start when partnering Tuco Salamanca to a clear-cut victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash.

Representing a team making its Shergar Cup debut, Chau, 26, gave Ollie Sangster’s four-year-old the perfect ride, taking a lead into the final furlong before a gap opened up seamlessly.

Tuco Salamanca (4-1) quickened impressively to beat Gold Star Hero, ridden by Chau’s team-mate Vincent Ho, by a length and a half.

Fandom and Suraj Narredu were third for the Rest of the World.

Chau told Sky Sports Racing: “It felt amazing when I hit the line.

“No words can describe riding a winner at Ascot. I grew up watching Ryan Moore on YouTube. I watched him as much as I could.”

Luke Ferraris did not have to wait long to play his part for Team Hong Kong as after an opening race one-two from his team-mates, he drove home Dancing In Paris to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.

Riding the Ian Williams-trained 17-2 shot, Ferraris came with a late run to collar Moore on Andrew Balding’s Shrimp Shady to win by a length.

Mountain Road was third for Yutake Take and the Rest of the World.

Ferraris said: “That’s phenomenal, he’s a lot fitter than me! He was turned out in great order.

“He didn’t settle as good as he should have, but he still produced a great turn of foot.

“I think I’ve only ridden in one two-mile race in recent years, so it was a bit of a change.

“We’ve a good group of young riders representing Hong Kong, so let’s hope it continues.”